Composite Materials

· The effects of the complex stresses in a symmetric cross-ply laminate are illustrated.
· As a result of an applied longitudinal stress on the laminate, the central lamina cracks in the direction parallel to its fibers.
· The interactions between the laminae can increase the transverse tensile stress on the outer longitudinal laminae until they fracture parallel to their fibers.

From: Hull, "Introduction to Composite Materials," Cambridge (1992)